“This is a good example of how industrial companies such as Hydro are growing in advanced markets fueled by demands for lighter vehicles and more sustainable materials,” says John Thuestad, who is responsible for Hydro’s aluminum extrusion operations in Europe.

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Development and advanced manufacturing

Hydro, through the company Sapa, which it acquired in October 2017, spent nearly three years working with London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) throughout the development phases of the zero-emissions black cab project before winning the contract to supply major body components for the vehicle. 

The new contract was one of the reasons behind Hydro’s decision to invest £9.6 million in the refurbishment and reopening of its manufacturing plant in Bedwas, Wales. Hydro built and operated the plant for more than 40 years prior to its closure in 2014.

The Bedwas plant is delivering the aluminum components to LEVC’s factory in Coventry.

Exports to the Netherlands and Norway

LEVC has already signed agreements to export its new electric taxi to two countries in Europe. The first, signed with the Dutch mobility firm RMC, calls for the delivery of 225 electric taxis to the Netherlands this winter.

Its latest contract was with Oslo-based Autoindustri. Deliveries to Norway are expected to begin in the first quarter of this year, following a planned launch at the Nordic EV summit in February.